State Group Life Insurance

Overview

State Group Life (SGL) Insurance offers term life insurance to you, your spouse and eligible children. Coverage is based on your eligible earnings. You may elect coverage of up to five times your eligible earnings, up to $20,000 of spouse coverage and up to $10,000 of child coverage.

In addition to benefits payable in the event of a death, this plan provides the following:

  • Access to the Lifestyle Benefit Program through Securian Financial which offers legal, financial and grief resources, travel assistance, legacy planning resources and beneficiary financial counseling to all active, State of Wisconsin employees. This program is offered free of charge and no enrollment is required. For more information review the LifeStyle Benefits Program web page.
  • Access to Empathy through Securian Financial. This program provides comprehensive support to assist beneficiaries following the loss of a loved one. The program is offered free of charge to employees enrolled in State Group Life Insurance. For more information review the Empathy Flyer in the Forms & Resources section below.
  • Continuation of group policy coverage at retirement is available (eligibility requirements must be met).
  • If your death is accidental, the death benefit will double.
  • If you have a dismemberment or experience a loss of use, you may receive a portion of your benefit.
  • If you become terminally ill with a life expectancy of 12 months or less, you may receive up to the full amount of your coverage prior to your death.

State Group Life Insurance is administered by the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) and is underwritten by Securian Financial Group.

Eligibility

The following requirements must be met to be eligible for this plan:

  • Eligible for coverage under the Wisconsin Retirement System; and
  • Under age 70 at the time of initial eligibility (if 70 or older when initially eligible, can only apply for coverage through Medical Evidence of Insurability); and
  • Not receiving a Wisconsin Retirement System annuity.

Enrollment

You have 30 days from your date of employment or your newly benefits-eligible job to enroll in State Group Life Insurance. Coverage will begin on the first day of the month following 30 days from your eligibility date.

If you do not enroll during your initial 30-day enrollment period, you may apply for coverage if you have a qualifying life event (see Life Events). You may also apply at any time through Evidence of Insurability (approval not guaranteed). The State Group Life Insurance Medical Evidence of Insurability Form (ET-2305) can be accessed in the Forms & Resources section below.

For enrollment through a qualifying life event, coverage is effective on the first of the month following 30 days after the date of event. Coverage through evidence of insurability is effective on the first of the month on or following the approval of your application by the plan.

Note: You may decrease or cancel coverage at any time during the year.

Coverage Levels

Employee Coverage

You may enroll in one to five units of Employee coverage. Each unit of coverage is equal to your highest calendar year’s earnings, rounded to the nearest $1,000. Your coverage level is adjusted annually and will automatically increase if your salary increases. The following is a summary of the Employee coverage options available.

  • Basic Coverage: Provides one unit of coverage equal to your highest calendar year’s earnings, rounded to the next higher $1,000.
  • Supplemental Coverage: Provides one unit of coverage equal to your highest calendar year’s earnings, rounded to the next higher $1000. You must have Basic coverage to enroll in Supplemental coverage.
  • Additional Coverage: Provides up to three units of coverage, with each unit equal to your highest calendar year’s earnings, rounded to the next higher $1,000. You may choose one, two or three units of Additional coverage. You must have Basic coverage to enroll in Additional coverage (enrollment in Supplemental Coverage is not required to enroll in Additional Coverage).

The Universities of Wisconsin System contributes towards the cost of Basic and Supplemental coverage. Employees pay the full cost of Additional coverage.

Spouse & Dependent Coverage

You may elect one or two units of spouse & dependent coverage. Each unit insures your spouse for $10,000 and each dependent child for $5,000. All children will be covered under dependent coverage. Employee’s must enroll in Employee coverage in order to enroll in Spouse & Dependent coverage.

For detailed information on who you can cover on this plan, see the Dependent Eligibility Chart (UWS 25) pdf .

Disability Premium Waiver

Overview

If you become disabled, you may be eligible to continue your State Group Life Insurance at no cost.

Premium Waiver eligibility

  • Under age 70,
  • Insured under the State Group Life Insurance program when you become disabled, and
  • Are totally disabled and likely to be disabled for the indefinite future.

premium waiver information

  • Notify your benefits contact of your disability as soon as it occurs. Your benefits contact will file the premium waiver for you.
  • Once the premium waiver has been submitted by your benefits contact, Securian will contact you to request medical documentation.
  • The premium waiver will take effect once you have stopped receiving earnings from the University, including paid leave.
  • Your premium waiver will remain in effect until your retirement age, usually age 65. If you are disabled when you reach your retirement age, typically coverage will automatically continue at a reduced amount for your lifetime.
  • If the disability occurs before you terminate, a premium waiver may only be filed after termination of employment. You have 36 months after the last day for which earnings were paid to inform your benefits contact of your disability.

You may also be eligible for a disability premium waiver through the Income Continuation Plan if you are currently enrolled.

Continuation & Conversion

Continuation of group policy coverage at retirement is available (eligibility requirements must be met). Continuation of group policy coverage is also available at termination with at least 20 years of WRS service (eligibility requirements must be met). Basic employee coverage will continue after age 65 in reduced amount at no cost to you. Continuation at retirement is automatic if you begin a WRS annuity within 31 days of when your active employee coverage ends. If you do not begin your WRS annuity, submit a continuation form within 31 days after your active employee coverage ends.

Conversion of coverage to an individual policy at the end of employment (not retirement) is available if you were continuously insured for six months preceding termination of coverage. To convert coverage submit a conversion form and pay the required premium within 31 days after your group coverage ends.

Contact UW-Shared Services, Service Operations at serviceoperations@support.wisconsin.edu or (888) 298-0141 (7:45-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday) to obtain a continuation or conversion form.

Beneficiary Information

You are encouraged to designate a beneficiary(ies) to ensure benefits are paid according to your wishes. Review and update beneficiary designations whenever a life event occurs (marriage, divorce, or birth of a child). Beneficiary designations can be changed at any time.

For more information on beneficiary designations, see the Beneficiary Information web page.

Benefit Premiums

For State Group Life Insurance premiums review the Benefit Premiums web page.

Employee premiums are based on your highest calendar year of eligible earnings, your age as of April 1st each year and your elected coverage level(s).

The Universities of Wisconsin System contributes 65.25% of the employee premium for basic coverage and an additional 37.25% of the employee premium for supplemental coverage. Employees pay the full cost of Additional, Spouse, and Dependent coverage.

Forms & Resources

Every effort has been made to ensure this information is current and correct. Information on this page does not guarantee enrollment, benefits and/or the ability to make changes to your benefits.

Updated: 05/29/2024